About the Book
Book: The Lieutenant’s Secret Love
Author: Elva Cobb Martin
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: April 11, 2023
An exposed family secret changed her life forever and blindsided his Marine heart.
From the day Hannah was abandoned as a newborn, her adoptive parents have kept the truth of her origin from her and her siblings. But when that secret is exposed, a threat arises which forces her to leave the only family she’s ever known and the adoptive brother she adores. She must start her life anew in Charleston.
U.S. Marine Lieutenant Adam White, harbors a secret—more confidential than patrolling the Caribbean for French corsairs, more threatening than the fight against Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean. Adam carries a personal, burning secret in his heart. He’s fallen in love with Hannah since discovering she is not his blood sister. And the thought that she might only ever see him as her loving big brother may be the greatest threat to him yet.
As the Charleston men seek to win Hannah’s heart, she never loses touch with the man who had been her older brother. The man her heart can’t help seeing him in a whole new light. But when Adam’s squadron sets out for the Mediterranean on the most dangerous mission of his life, only God can keep him—and their love—alive.
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About the Author
Elva Cobb Martin is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband and a mini-dachshund. A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement. Connect with her on her web site at http://www.elvamartin.com.
More from Elva
Researching our true American history for this novel inspired me so much in a day when many are trying to ignore or wipe out our Christian foundations and heroic acts. I want to share two particular true stories which I use in my novel that should bless and inspire you, too.
First, I set my story the year after President George Washington died. He died December 14, 1799, after a bout of laryngitis following a horseback ride in the snow to check his plantation. But truly, his death was brought on by the horrid bleeding (phlebotomy) common in that day that three prominent physicians put him through. History records they bled eight quarts from his body in about thirteen hours. The physicians soon observed… “that he expired without a struggle.” –Of course he couldn’t struggle, with all that blood loss. I’ve told you this to tell you Washington’s last words.
Washington, at about eleven o’clock in the evening, uttered his last words: “Father of mercies, take me unto thyself,” and “tis well.”
On Washington’s tomb at Mount Vernon is engraved: “I am the Resurrection and the Life; saith the Lord. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.”
The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., which is 555 feet tall, has engraved on its metal cap the Latin phrase “Laus Deo,” which means “Praise be to God.”
The other true story of our history that inspired me proves the bravery and derring-do of the fledging Navy and Marines during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. Many don’t know that Washington actually disbanded the original Navy right after the Revolution as he had no intention of putting this almost penniless new nation into any more wars or try to find the money to support a Navy.
But Barbary Muslim pirates in the Mediterranean started plundering our merchant ships no longer under British protection and taking entire crews into slavery. We ended up paying huge sums of tribute for questionable protection and hefty ransoms to redeem any of our crews taken into slavery. President Thomas Jefferson saw the great need for a strong Navy and went about securing it during his two terms (1801-.1809). A famous byword of those days became: “Millions for defense, not a cent for tribute.”
Naval heroes like William Eaton, Edward Preble, Stephen Decatur, and Marine lieutenant Presley O’Bannon blazoned across our history during the turbulent wars against the Muslim Barbary pirates and sultans. One incident stands out that I decided to include in my novel with my fictional hero, Marine Lieutenant Adam White, added to the story and my heroine Hannah, awaiting letters from him.
Jefferson and Congress commissioned the building of a Navy frigate, the USS Philadelphia, the largest, most modern for the period, to do battle in this Barbary war. America was proud of this ship and it’s potential. But to everyone’s dismay, the Philadelphia got stuck on a sand bar near Tripoli’s harbor, and soon ended up captured by the Tripoli pirates, and its crew taken into slavery. Even though the American captain damaged the ship as best he could before being forced to surrender it, the horror was compounded when the Muslims bragged they would soon repair the ship and use it against us. President Jefferson, Congress, the Navy, and all America suffered some dark days indeed.
But naval hero Stephen Decatur came up with a daring, dangerous plan to slip into the well-guarded Tripoli Harbor where the ship was anchored while being repaired. He chose a few handpicked Marines (my novel hero included!) who would attempt to burn the Philadelphia and keep it from ever being used against us. They would have no Navy backup and would all end up in slavery if the Muslims discovered them.
You’ll have to read my novel (or do research) to find out how this ended!
MY REVIEW
What made this book so interesting to me was the rich history the author provided to capture the realistic time period. We learn about the ships that sailed the seas to protect Americans and the brave men who served without hesitation. I learned about how George Washington died and was quite shocked at what really happened to him. If only the physicians had known that what they thought was the correct treatment really made him weaker by the hour.
The Navy and Marines were the heroes in this story. Shipping off to secret missions and encountering pirates was just part of what they faced on the open sea. Dealing with weather that can sink a ship was also a threat to the many who served. I admired Adam and his bravery. The assignments he was given were scary yet he did them with honor and dedication. He did have a secret that he has kept to himself for awhile which inserts itself into the story well.
Hannah didn’t have a great start to life as she was abandoned on the road. By God’s grace a family found her and raised her as their own. She became a very intelligent young woman who wanted to become a nurse. Although her and Adam have been raised as brother and sister, the author gives us a surprise that changes their relationship. I loved how this part of the story was slowly revealed and seemed honest and pure.
There are some really good moments in the story where God shines. Hannah has a chance to not only meet someone who abandoned her but also is given the opportunity to lead them to Christ. This for me was the most important part of the entire story. We witness someone who thought their sins were too much and God would not forgive them. What a beautiful illustration of forgiveness and surrendering to God as Hannah not only forgives this person but watches a true miracle happen when they declare God as their savior.
With a well researched book and a story of love and forgiveness this will be an enjoyable historical book for all.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 14
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 15
Texas Book-aholic, April 16
Connie’s History Classroom, April 17
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 18
Sylvan Musings, April 19
Betti Mace, April 20
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 21 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 21
Cover Lover Book Review, April 22
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 23
For Him and My Family, April 24
Holly’s Book Corner, April 25
By The Book, April 26 (Author Interview)
Karen Baney Reviews, April 26
Pause for Tales, April 27
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Elva is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2566c/the-lieutenant-s-secret-love-celebration-tour-giveaway
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Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.
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